East Sussex trust wins contract for sexual health

A hospital trust has won a £3million contract to continue providing sexual health and HIV treatment for East Sussex residents.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Eastbourne DGH and Conquest Hospital in Hastings, won a competitive open tender, commissioned by East Sussex County Council and NHS England South.

The contract, worth around £3million per year, covers services including free testing, care and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and HIV, free contraceptive, free web based chlamydia and gonorrhoea screening and the supply of chlamydia screening home kits via text.

“It is a great achievement for the Trust and we feel it is recognition the trust is now moving forward in a positive direction.

“It is a tremendous endorsement to the Sexual Health and HIV team who provide a superb service to the local community.

“We know their efforts are greatly appreciated by service users with satisfaction levels from their friends and family test being consistently high, above 95 per cent.”

Changes to the services include introducing Saturday afternoon opening, increased web based home testing for sexually transmitted infections and HIV and self-care tests available at reception for those who do not have symptoms.

Specialist sexual health services in East Sussex are provided from two main bases at Station Plaza, Hastings and Avenue House, Eastbourne, with sessional outreach specialist services provided on a variety of days and times in community locations across East Sussex.

In addition a range of general sexual health services are provided by GPs and pharmacies with support from the specialist service.

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